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|Reviews = *[[About.com]] {{rating-5|4}} [http://rap.about.com/od/2007albums/fr/WuTang8Diagrams.htm link]
|Reviews = *[[About.com]] {{rating-5|4}} [http://rap.about.com/od/2007albums/fr/WuTang8Diagrams.htm link]
*[[All Music Guide]] {{rating-5|4}} [http://wm08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kvfwxzuhld0e link]
*[[All Music Guide]] {{rating-5|4}} [http://wm08.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kvfwxzuhld0e link]
*[[Pitchfork Media]] {{rating-10|8}} [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/47534-8-diagrams link]
*''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' {{rating-5|4}} [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4896 link]
*[[RapReviews.com]] {{rating-10|8}} [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2007_12F_8diagrams.html link]
*[[Pitchfork Media]] (8/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/47534-8-diagrams link]
*[[PopMatters]] (8/10) [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/51840/wu-tang-clan-8-diagrams/ link]
*[[RapReviews.com]] (8/10) [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2007_12F_8diagrams.html link]
*''[[Rolling Stone]]'' {{rating-5|3.5}} [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/17395643/review/17437159/the_8_diagrams link]
*''[[Rolling Stone]]'' {{rating-5|3.5}} [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/17395643/review/17437159/the_8_diagrams link]
*''[[The New York Times]]'' (mixed) [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/arts/music/10choi.html?pagewanted=2&ref=music link]
|Last album = ''[[Iron Flag]]''<br/>(2001)
|Last album = ''[[Iron Flag]]''<br/>(2001)
|This album = '''''8 Diagrams'''''<br/>(2007)
|This album = '''''8 Diagrams'''''<br/>(2007)

Revision as of 16:52, 7 February 2008

Untitled

8 Diagrams is the fifth studio album by New York hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released through Street Records Corporation on December 11 2007.[1]

Background

The album's title is derived from the Kung Fu film Eight-Diagram Pole Fighter.[2] The Clan, which has not released an album since 2001's Iron Flag, signed a one-album deal with Steve Rifkind's SRC Records in December 2006. The group's four previous albums were all released on Rifkind's now-defunct Loud Records. The U.S. version of the album will not include "16th Chamber (ODB Special)" or "Tar Pit".

On Sunday, August 5, 2007, at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore, RZA announced that the new release date for the album would be November 13, 2007, noting that this is the third anniversary of the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard. However, the date was pushed back to December 11, 2007.[3]

In a released statement, group leader RZA commented on the need for the Clan's return:

This is the perfect time for us to come back; the stars are aligned. It's like when we first started with Steve. We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B. We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio polish or radio hooks.... People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush. We're here to supply that fix. How could hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever? We're here to revive the spirit and the economics and bring in a wave of energy that has lately dissipated.[4]

At the public premiere of Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang in New York, Cappadonna revealed that the Clan had recorded between 40 and 50 songs for the record, of which around fourteen would make up the album. Prior to the album's release, Loud.com issued a free 8 Diagrams mixtape containing exclusive and unreleased tracks, including "Thug World", "Life Changes", "Stick Me for My Riches" and "Weak Spot".[5]

Collaborations

8 Diagrams featured all eight current members - RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Masta Killa. The album features previously recorded material from Ol' Dirty Bastard, the ninth member, as well as a tribute track titled "Life Changes."

In a recent article from Nme.com, it was stated that the album would feature production from Easy Mo Bee, Marley Marl, Q-Tip, DJ Scratch and Nile Rodgers.[6] George Clinton, of P-Funk; Dhani Harrison; John Frusciante; and Shavo Odadjian, bassist of System of a Down will be on the album as well.[7]

This was also the Wu's first collaboration since the passing of original member Ol' Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004. "We still miss him every day," GZA added. "It's like you lost an arm or a leg; you feel incomplete. You can still walk or do other things, but you're limited to a certain degree." With the RZA adding, "He was a very special person, like a very rare diamond. You know, it's like you wake up one day and they're saying, 'There are no diamonds in the world anymore, just cubic zirconia...'"

The back of the pre-album mixtape states that the album will feature "the entire Wu-Tang Clan (including Cappadonna and Streetlife)".

Singles

In a BBC 1Xtra interview Method Man stated that the first single will be called "Watch Your Mouth" and that it is produced by DJ Scratch. However, sample clearance issues have been rumoured and "Watch Your Mouth" was not included in the final release of 8 Diagrams.

The first official single is "The Heart Gently Weeps", an adaptation of the Beatles song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". George Harrison's son Dhani Harrison and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers will help make the song. Although originally thought to be a sampled track, this is actually an interpolation of the Beatles' song (and a sample of Jimmy Ponder's cover of the song). The song features Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man rapping and guest singing provided by Erykah Badu. The RZA also recently confirmed that Stone Mecca, one of the newer Wu-Tang-affiliated groups, contributed backing music to the track.[8] This song will most likely be featured as a Wu-Tang single. [9]

The first two singles, "Watch Your Mouth" and "The Heart Gently Weeps," are available to listen to online.[10] Loud.com released "The Heart Gently Weeps" on October 3, 2007.

Reception

The first official review of the complete album was posted on Hip-Hop Connection magazine's website on November 19th.[11] "Watch Your Mouth" was praised by Evan Serpick of Rolling Stone magazine, calling the song a relief from the "simplified ringtone rap" that he claimed was dominant of the hip-hop industry while Wu-Tang Clan was inactive from 2001 to 2007. Serpick also highlighted the lyrical parts of U-God and RZA.[12] Rolling Stone also praised "The Heart Gently Weeps".[13] Allhiphop.com gave the album a 7/10, claiming that while the album is "arguably RZA's most diverse group of beats," the "lack of cohesiveness found throughout the album bolster and prove some of the members' claims of friction."

Track listing

All tracks produced by RZA, unless otherwise noted.

  1. "Campfire"
  2. "Take It Back"
  3. "Get Them Out Ya Way Pa"
    • Verse 1: Method Man
    • Verse 2: U-God
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Chorus: Ghostface Killah & Raekwon
  4. "Rushing Elephants"
    • Verse 1: Raekwon
    • Verse 2: GZA
    • Verse 3: RZA
    • Verse 4: Masta Killa
  5. "Unpredictable"
  6. "The Heart Gently Weeps"
  7. "Wolves"
    • Verse 1: U-God
    • Verse 2: Method Man
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Chorus: George Clinton
  8. "Gun Will Go"
    • Verse 1: Raekwon
    • Verse 2: Method Man
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Chorus: Sunny Valentine
    • Produced by RZA
  9. "Sunlight"
    • RZA solo
  10. "Stick Me for My Riches"
    • Verse 1: Method Man
    • Verse 2: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 3: RZA
    • Verse 4: GZA
    • Chorus: Gerald Alston
    • Produced by Mathematics & RZA
  11. "Starter"
    • Verse 1: Streetlife
    • Verse 2: GZA
    • Verse 3: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 4: U-God
    • Chorus: Sunny Valentine & Tash Mahogany
  12. "Windmill"
    • Verse 1: Raekwon
    • Verse 2: GZA
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Verse 4: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 5: Method Man
    • Verse 6: Cappadonna
    • Contains samples from "Bang Bang" by Nancy Sinatra
  13. "Weak Spot"
  14. "Life Changes"
    • Verse 1: Method Man
    • Verse 2: Raekwon
    • Verse 3: GZA
    • Verse 4: Masta Killa
    • Verse 5: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 6: U-God
    • Verse 7: RZA
    • Contains samples from "The Road We Didn't Take" by Freda Payne
  15. "Tar Pit"
    • Verse 1: U-God
    • Verse 2: Cappadonna
    • Verse 3: Streetlife
    • Chorus: George Clinton
  16. "16th Chamber (ODB Special)"

Charting

U.S. Billboard 200
Week 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15
Position 25[14] 82 77 83 86 107
Sales Per Week 68,478 32,622 19,798 11,267 7,610 6,002
Total 68,478 101,100 120,981 132,248[15] 139,858[16] 145,860[17]

References

  1. ^ http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/102207/
  2. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan close to releasing new album “Eight Diagrams”", hiphopnews.com.
  3. ^ Montgomery, James (2007-10-03). "Wu-Tang Clan's First-Ever Cleared Beatles Sample Claim Is Incorrect". MTV News. Retrieved 2007-10-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Strong, Nolan. Wu-Tang Clan Reunites, Preparing '8 Diagrams'. AllHipHop.com. (2007-1-24). Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
  5. ^ http://www.loud.com/news/article_55/
  6. ^ Wu Tang Clan reveal new album plans.www.nme.com.
  7. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. Wu-Tang Clan 'Unique' As Ever on 'The 8 Diagrams'. "Billboard.com" (2007-7-10). Retrieved on July 10, 2007.
  8. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfjqZC5iTU8
  9. ^ Kuperstein, Slava. Wu-Tang Covers Beatles Song and Get New Release Date. HipHopDX.com. (2007-8-15). Retrieved on August 15, 2007.
  10. ^ http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=tracks1
  11. ^ http://www.hhcmagazine.com/blog/?p=203
  12. ^ Serpick, Evan (October 4, 2007), "Downloads - "Watch Your Mouth"", Rolling Stone, no. 1036, pp. p. 82 {{citation}}: |pages= has extra text (help) Serpick gave the song 4 out of 5 stars.
  13. ^ Hoard, Christian (November 1, 2007), "Downloads - "The Heart Gently Weeps"", Rolling Stone, no. 1038, pp. p. 88 {{citation}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  14. ^ Katie Hasty, "Groban Remains No. 1, Becomes '07's Best-Seller", Billboard.com, December 19, 2007.
  15. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6193/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-01-07-08
  16. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6237/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-1-15-07
  17. ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.6272/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-1-20-08
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=8_Diagrams&diff=189757127&oldid=189670056

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